DO-RE-MI:
A Review of Media Mouse
by Istvan Urcuyo
Media Depot thinks that they have a great idea for the computer consumer
market. Give the multimedia-hungry public a mouse that rocks, barks,
squeaks and roars with every movement that you make and whoala the media
mouse was born. Now, here is a perfect example of an idea that may sound
great when first conceived but when carried out it becomes apparent that it
was not such a good idea after all. Media Mouse claims to be a
revolutionary audio multimedia mouse that everybody loves.
The hardware itself is a nicely built, but otherwise normal, two or
three-button mouse. The mouse is available for three different types of
interfaces: serial, bus and the PS/2 pointing device port. Nothing new
here. The trick comes in the software. The media mouse comes with the
standard mouse driver (version 8.2) and two windows applications: the
Wincursor and the Melody Mouse. Installation of these components was a
breeze and their respective interfaces were userfriendly. Wincursor allows
you to choose from three different sizes, three colors and two directions
of the pointer.
If you are running Windows 95 you know that you have many
more cursor choices that come with the operating system (look under the
mouse control panel). If you are using Windows 3.1, there are freeware
programs that will do the same and more (for free).
Melody Mouse is what
media depot hopes will catch your fancy. This software translates every
movement of your mouse into a predefined sound clip. There are three sets
of sound clips and each set contains four sound clips (one for each
direction). Let me give you an idea: move your mouse up and you may get a
hi-hat smash, move your mouse left and you hear a cymbal, move your mouse
down and you will hear a bass beat. Are you getting the idea yet? Now,
imagine how many times you usually move your mouse around the screen,
translate those movements into sounds and what you have is a noisy,
uncoordinated and nerve racking experience. Sure you can try to create
cool "songs" and maybe even try to do a little rapping to the bass beat,
but let's face it, do you have time to deal with this? Young children may
find it kind of entertaining for a while. The length of time will most
likely be defined by the adult that is in the same room as the computer.
Melody Mouse provides another option: Sound Wall. Here you do not have
to listen to every single movement of your mouse but when you feel the need
for noise, you can place your cursor anywhere on the sides of the screen
and you will be rewarded with one of fourteen musical tones or animal
sounds (depending on your cursor location and selected settings). So, is
the Melody Mouse software useful? NO! Is the mouse useful? Yes (if you
broke your last one), but even then you could probably find another mouse
for less money. The only redeeming aspect of this package are the three
bundled PC CD-ROMs. Media Mouse comes with: The Greatest Paper Airplanes,
MegaRace and Pinball Crystal Caliburn. The first title is a multimedia
introduction to the principles of flight and the creation of paper
airplanes (I found it interesting), the second title is a well known, but
rather old, race game where you get to blast everyone. The last title is a
somewhat appealing pinball game.
Unless I was in the market for a new mouse and really wanted the three
bundled titles, I would not consider this product. Even then, I would pass
over installing Melody Mouse.
Multimedia Cafe Scorecard
Product:
Media Mouse
Company:
Media Depot
209 Erie St.
Pomona, CA 91768
1-800-633-3768
mediadpt@lightside.com
Cost:
n/a
System Requirements:
Intel 286 or Higher, DOS 2.0 +, Floppy Disk Drive
and proper available interface.
Breakdown:
Entertainment Value 1
Educational Value 0
Concept 1
Depth 0
Interface 4
Overall Score:
Copyright © 1997 InfoMedia, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Melody Mouse is what
media depot hopes will catch your fancy. This software translates every
movement of your mouse into a predefined sound clip. There are three sets
of sound clips and each set contains four sound clips (one for each
direction). Let me give you an idea: move your mouse up and you may get a
hi-hat smash, move your mouse left and you hear a cymbal, move your mouse
down and you will hear a bass beat. Are you getting the idea yet? Now,
imagine how many times you usually move your mouse around the screen,
translate those movements into sounds and what you have is a noisy,
uncoordinated and nerve racking experience. Sure you can try to create
cool "songs" and maybe even try to do a little rapping to the bass beat,
but let's face it, do you have time to deal with this? Young children may
find it kind of entertaining for a while. The length of time will most
likely be defined by the adult that is in the same room as the computer.
Multimedia Cafe Scorecard
| Product: |
Media Mouse |
| Company: |
Media Depot
|
| Cost: |
n/a |
System Requirements:
and proper available interface.
Breakdown:
Overall Score: